Collin

June 15, 2010

well... since the boys got out of school, they've been on a steady stream of UNsteady bedtimes... baseball games... video games... fun days with grandma... they're little sis has joined in on all the fun too {which was the cause for that picture. fell asleep with her face in her ice cream cone! too funny.} Lydia is loving having Collin & Evan home with her! She just plays right along side them or they'll think of something fun to play with her like hotel or shopping mall :) As any mother I love the days or even hours when they are all playing happily together! Now, if it would stop raining long enough for them to get some outside play time without coming back a muddy mess...

For the last few weeks I've been on an exciting journey as well! I'll share details soon... but I've been doing lots of thinking, researching & playing! I've also been taking this summer e course by the oh so fabulous Kelly Rae Roberts!!!

If you don't know about this amazing artist you should really go check out kelly's website. Her book is on my list to read too... she is truly an inspiring individual :)

Oh & I saw sneaks of the LOADS of new goodies being released for Reminisce this summer... oooooh you're gonna LOVE it all!!! We've all been busy little designers these last several months! Keep checking over at the Reminisce blog for new releases!

May 24, 2010

Earlier this month, Collin was lucky enough to be chosen to play a trumpet solo at the HTC spring concert. Of course, Dan & I were very proud of him & he did great! I was so impressed by the entire 5th & 6th grade band. With the 5th graders just beginning in the fall, I can't believe how beautifully they played.

Another highlight of the night was that they were able to play with the high school band, while accompanied by the boy's chorus. It was truly a pleasure! Congratulations Collin & the rest of your talented friends :)

April 05, 2010

There was a lot of anticipation for this little lady about some bunny coming & leaving some eggs & candy. We started with our local egg hunt on Saturday... she decided that she would search out all the plastic eggs & skip over all the other candy.

as for Evan, he just went for it all!!! But he was polite enough to throw some of it back for some kids who got there late & share some with Collin & Lydia as well.

Easter Sunday we started with an early mass & then hosted a brunch with my family. The big kids hid the eggs... I'm guess Alec thought they needed a challenge!

ready... set... GO!!!!

cousins :) They just crack me up when they get together.

Collin found his 6 eggs first, so he got the bonus egg with $2 in it! There favorite eggs are the ones with money in them...

Evan checking his loot.

EXCITED!!!

listening for money... I think the kids re-hid Lydia's eggs 3 more times. She LOVES hunting eggs! She also wanted to call the Easter bunny to see if he could bring her some more candy. We were continually looking in the yard to see if more had appeared :)

March 25, 2010

Today it's dreary & cold here, so I was thinking of the days we've had over the last few weeks that have allowed us some much needed outside time. Last week we spent a nice evening outside playing & it's a good thing we did... that next day it snowed!!! We've had a few nice days this week too with some sunshine & warmer temperatures. Hopefully they will come back soon... please?

this little girl LOVES playing outside

love that kid :)

the 4wheeler is definitely the boys favorite outside activity right now. I think the extra mud adds to the excitement for them...

March 07, 2010

this is so where we are right now... days where playing together is so wonderful, brothers sticking up for each other when needed, showing love for each other & their sister... but there are many, many moments where this isn't happening & complaining about each other & fighting about lots of nothing-ness. really trying to keep the patience & remind Collin & Evan that they will always be brothers, no matter what. i grew up in a family with 5 kids & believe me i remember that feeling of being annoyed with my siblings a lot too, but now i couldn't imagine not having them around me & i truly love when we can be together. i'm keeping the faith that will be the same for our kids...

journaling: I know somedays it's hard to love each other... but I always want you to stick together.

February 21, 2010

found some great digital scrapbooking deals over the last week or so... I've been collecting :) he're is a super quick layout {basically just had to stick in my photos, patterned paper background & journaling block & it was good to go}. this template was from katie over at designer digitals {btw... I think they're still have the entire store on sale}.

February 12, 2010

Okay, so I'd been seeing some of these ideas for a while & was itching to try them out. I created some simple toppers for each of the boys with their names on the back. We filled these cute bags {Target dollar rack 20 for $1} with kisses, smarties, m&m's & simply cut, folded & stapled the toppers to the top of the bags. For Lydia & her little friends we used the same bags, but tied some cute polka dot ribbon around the tops. We also made some cupcakes with pink frosting & red & white heart sprinkles {she loved putting on the sprinkles}. Another idea I had seen while looking at party idea blogs was how they were taking plain water bottles & making personalized labels. This was soooo easy. Again, simple artwork, print, cut & I used my hot glue gun to attach these labels. I also decided to attach them to the cutest little cans of Sprite. So yes, last night was a marathon of getting these things done, but the Collin & Evan had so much fun helping out. The best part... Evan told me that he was going to show everyone & tell them that his mom is a genius :) Love ya buddy.

December 08, 2009

Soon after school started this year, Collin came home beaming... he wanted to join the band. He knew almost immediately that he wanted to play the trumpet. Of course we had the same discussion we have any time he decides he wants to "try" something. We've had a few times in the past where he gets all fired up about doing something only to get his feelings hurt or just give up all together, so we're always holding back a little. Still wanting to encourage him to join in on things, I went to the band meeting with him & that night, he made his final decision on the trumpet & he started practice the following week. I tell you what... the kid is pretty darn good for the short amount of time he's been playing. He's more than happy to pull it out when we have people over & play for them. He even had a mini-concert for my family at Thanksgiving. This week is supposed to be the band's first concert together. I can't wait to hear them all together... if the yucky weather doesn't ruin the plan, that is. Great job Collin... we're proud of you :)

October 23, 2009

I can't complain, I think we've been pretty blessed {so far} keeping the yuckies away with all the people sick lately. Unfortunately, Collin has been the odd man out... almost 2 weeks ago, he tested positive for strep throat & was on antibiotic until this Wednesday. Yesterday he came home from school & complained of a scratchy throat & I told him he was probably getting a cold. Last night he was complaining again & so I got out the flashlight & sure enough, the red patches are back. So back we go to get him tested & get more meds. I'm envisioning a tonsillectomy in our future :(